LaHood: $215 million available for damaged roads, bridges

The U.S Department of Transportation will provide more than $215 million to states across the nation to cover the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural disasters, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Nov. 28.

“Communities suffering from disasters have been hard at work restoring vital transportation links so that people can resume daily activities as soon as possible,” said Secretary LaHood. “They did their part, and now it’s our turn to give the states the money they were promised to help pay for that work.”

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will provide a total of $215,198,775 from its emergency relief program to 34 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and federal lands agencies to reimburse them for repairs to roads and bridges caused by storms, flooding, hurricanes, and other natural and catastrophic disasters.

“States and communities can continue counting on our support in times of need,” said FHWA Administrator Mendez. “Everyone pulls together when disaster strikes and we are committed to help as much as we can now and in the future.”

Among states that will receive funding, California will receive $43.4 million for flooding and earthquakes, North Dakota will receive $31.5 million for flooding in the Devil’s Lake region, and Vermont will receive $15.4 million for flooding and damage from Tropical Storm Irene.

The money will reimburse states for fixing or replacing highways, bridges, and other roadway structures. Costs associated with detours, debris removal, and other immediate measures necessary to restore traffic flow in impacted areas are also eligible.

The FHWA’s emergency relief program reimburses states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways that were damaged in disasters and catastrophic failures.